TheSamba.com :: View topic - Roof chop question and vrod build progress/pic link

Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:20 am

I have been trying to do a roof chop on my 72 standard and I have also been following a thread here on the samba but I have seem to run into a little problem on where to cut the C piller as the thread only explains how to lay the rear window down where as I am looking to take the same amount out as what im chopping it. I will be useing plexi glass for the rear window so I dont have to worry about cutting the window down. If anyone could please explain how to do this or has a different link to go to, could you please help? Thanks

Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:38 pm

search...plus use 1/8" Polycarbonate Plastic for the rear window as plexi will break on ya....

Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:28 pm

I haven't got an answer for your question but I'd really like to see pics as you go and when finished. I've only seen a few that I thought looked right. Are you going to section the top and lengthen it or try to lean the rear (c) pillars forward? One of the few I've seen left the c pillar pretty much as is and just cut the a and b pillars down and (somehow) sloped the roof. Just curious, sounds like a helluva lotta work.

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:39 pm

here is a link to the the build pics so far from when I first got the car. Let me know what you think. I had to replace the framehead as well.
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc254/jdinvt/Volksrod%20build%20pics/

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:40 pm

here is a link to the the build pics so far from when I first got the car. Let me know what you think. I had to replace the framehead as well.
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc254/jdinvt/Volksrod%20build%20pics/

Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:44 pm

dubllyou wrote: I haven't got an answer for your question but I'd really like to see pics as you go and when finished. I've only seen a few that I thought looked right. Are you going to section the top and lengthen it or try to lean the rear (c) pillars forward? One of the few I've seen left the c pillar pretty much as is and just cut the a and b pillars down and (somehow) sloped the roof. Just curious, sounds like a helluva lotta work.

its called a wedge chop. Retains back window and quarter windows but shortens everything from the b pillar onwards. I like them but not if they are chopped too far.

As fro the windows, i wouldnt use plexyglass, if possible, hack down the glass, plexy glass will scratch.

Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:58 pm

Im actually not trying to do the wedge style, I would like to chop the back window down but not sure where to make the right cut for what im doing.

Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:58 pm

Im actually not trying to do the wedge style, I would like to chop the back window down but not sure where to make the right cut for what im doing.

Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:49 pm

That looks killer! Not too low either, I like it.

Not that I know what I'm talking about but I think you're gonna have to make several cuts. Do you have another donor roof? Not to practice on but to use it to section in parts and keep things from changing shape too much. I'm thinkin stepped cuts so you can widen the pillar and keep from bringing part of the side window back too far. I've never done a real car myself but I chopped a '37 Ford once in 1/24th scale (not quite the same) :?.

Not to break any rules here but you might check out the volksrod.com site for more help. They're big into cuttin s#!t up! 8)

Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:55 pm

Cool build . I think it would be neet to see the rear cresant vents smaller . Are u going to lower the body too ? I haven't seen that on a bug yet just hot rods .

Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:03 pm

Watch this one if I rember rite rino showed how to do the rear chop on the bug it was a good show I actually bought the DVD

Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:03 pm

Watch this one if I rember rite rino showed how to do the rear chop on the bug it was a good show I actually bought the DVD .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGYnitaND0g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:05 am

Thanks everyone, I will keep you posted as I go by adding new pics on photobucket and info on what I did on here. I havent found a doner car yet but im still looking so im going to be limited on what I can do after I get the C piller the way I want it to sit. That video wa awsome by the way, thanks.

Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:35 pm

Looking good!
I just did a 5" chop and ended up cutting the C Pillar down the quarter.
Next I will cut the Wheel well and bend it in to match the C pillar area
I was able to keep the back window stock (did a slightly modified fernon Chop) The problem with running plexi etc is it will have to be curved.
Maybe you could heat it up and use the orginal window to get the curve you need?

Someone earlier made a comment about cutting the back glass.
You cant cut Tempered glass as it will just shatter.
You can get it fairly hot to remove the temper but a big bump will just shatter it.

Here is what the C pillar looks like with the roof layed down
inside of it.

Wed Jul 11, 2012 2:53 am

I cant look to see what you did, as I an looking from work, and they filter out photobucket.

For ease of glass, I would recommend you reconsider laying down the back window. That is what I did, and then used a cut/stretch/fill combination to get the decklid to sit properly on the back. It ended up coming out p[retty decent, there are pics in my gallery showing parts of that step, and how it looks after the fact, and the best bonus is I can use a stock piece of rear glass, which is the hardest one to get modified glass into.

was able to cut a windshield to fit. the other 6 pieces (2 wings, 2 rollups, 2 rear sides) costed 350 bucks to have made . . a curved piece custom made would probably cost near that by irself.

Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:10 am

Looks great but where do you cut the wheel well to get it to match up?

Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:11 am

Looks great but where do you cut the wheel well to get it to match up?

Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:37 pm

The stock glass can be cut down by sandplasting. Cover everything you want to save with heavy duct tape on both sides. Use severial layers. Sandblast along the edge of the tape, until you sandblast through. Polish the edge with a belt sander CAREFULLY.

Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:58 pm

Jamies74sb wrote: Watch this one if I rember rite rino showed how to do the rear chop on the bug it was a good show I actually bought the DVD .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGYnitaND0g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

had to watch the whole episode, i was intrigued :P

Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:42 pm

It was a good show . Everybody needs to see that one .